Bis-v-triazolyl-stilbenes

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compounds of formula I,     D R A W I N G IN WHICH Y4 signifies hydrogen or C1-6alkyl, AND M signifies hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation, their production and use as optical brightening agents, particularly for cellulosic and polyamide substrate.   in which Y2 signifies naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted by C1-6alkyl, C1-4alkoxy or -SO3M; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy and -SO3M, and Y3 signifies hydrogen; chlorine; C1-6alkyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine and SO3M; -COOM; -CONR3R4; or -COOR5, and   IN WHICH Y1 signifies C1-6alkyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C16alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine and -SO3M, and X3 signifies -O- or -NY5-, where Y5 signifies hydrogen or C16alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, chlorine or SO3M,   in which X1 and X2, independently, each signifies hydrogen, chlorine or a group selected from -SO3M, -COOM, -SO2NR3R4, CONR3R4, -SO3R5, -CN, -CO2R5 and -SO2R6, in which either R3 signifies hydrogen; C1-6alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy or phenyl; cyclohexyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, C1-6alkyl or alkoxy, cyano or -SO3M, and R4 signifies hydrogen or C1-6alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, OR R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, signify a piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine or Nmethylpiperazine ring, R5 signifies C1-6alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by C16alkoxy; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or cyano, R6 signifies C1-6alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, C1-6alkoxy, C1-6hydroxyalkoxy, aminocarbonyl or SO3M; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or cyano, THE R1&#39;&#39;s, which are the same, each signify hydrogen; chlorine; C1-6alkyl; or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl, THE R2&#39;&#39;s, which are the same, each signify a radical of formula (a), (b) or (c),

United States Patent [191 Fleck et al. I

[ Dec. 23, 1975 BIS-V-TRIAZOLYL-STILBENES [75] Inventors: Fritz Fleck, Bottmingen; Horst Schmid, Munchenstein, both of Switzerland; Alec Victor Mercer, Leeds; Roger Paver, Eldwick, both of England [73] Assignee: Sandoz Ltd., Basel, Switzerland [22] Filed: May 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 469,105

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 17, 1973 Switzerland 7045/73 [52] US. Cl. 260/240.1; ll7/33.5 T;

252/3012 W; 252/3013 W; 260/240 C; 260/295 F; 162/162 Primary Examiner-Arthur P. Demers Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gerald D. Sharkin; Richard E. Vila; Joseph J. Borovian [57] ABSTRACT The invention provides compounds of formula I,

R R N l 61 I N R R X A 2 in which X, and X independently, each signifies hydrogen, chlorine or a group selected from -SO M, -COOM, -SO NR R.,, -CONR;,R,, -SO R CN, 'COZRS and SO2RQ, I in which either R signifies hydrogen; C, alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyor phenyl; cyclohexyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, c alkyl or alkoxy, cyano or -SO M, and R signifies hydrogen or C alkyl,

unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, or R and R together with the nitrogen to which R signifies C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by C alkoxy; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or cyano,

R signifies C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, c alkoxy, C hydroxyalkoxy, aminocarbonyl or v -SO M; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or cyano, the R s, which are the same, each signify hydrogen; chlorine; C alkyl; or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl, the R s, which are the same each signify a radical of formula (21), (b) or (c),

N-N Y (a) in which Y signifies c alkyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from ,C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine and -SO M, and X signifies -O- or -NY where Y signifies hydrogen or C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, chlorine or -SO M,

in which Y signifies naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted by C alkyl, C alkoxy or -SO M; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, c alkyl, C alkoxy and -SO M, and

Y signifies hydrogen; chlorine; C,. 'alkyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine and $0 M; -COOM; -CONR R or -COOR and I in which Y signifies hydrogen or C alkyl,

and M signifies hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation, their production and use as optical brightening agents, particularly for cellulosic and polyamide substrate.

38 Claims, No Drawings BIS-V-TRIAZOLYL-STILBENES IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ORGANIC COMPOUNDS The invention relates to bis-v-triazolyl-stilbene compounds.

The invention provides compounds of Formula I,

in which X and X independently, each signifies hydrogen, chlorine or a group selected from -SO M, -COOM, -SO NR R -CONR R -SO R -CN, -CO R and -SO R in which either R signifies hydrogen; C alkyl, un-

substituted or substituted by hydroxy or phenyl; cyclohexyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen,

C, alkyl or alkoxy, cyano or -SO M,

and R signifies hydrogen or C aIkyI, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy,

or R and R together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, signify a piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine or N-methylpiperazine ring,

R signifies C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by C alkoxy; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, c alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or cyano,

R signifies C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, C alkoxy, C hydroxyalkoxy, aminocarbonyl or -SO M; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine,

1 chlorine or cyano,

the R 's, which are the same, each signify hydrogen; chlorine; C alkyl; or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl,

the R 's, which are the same, each signify a radical of formula (a), (b) or (c),

N N Y in which Y signifies C alkyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C, alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine and -SO M, and

X signifies -O- or -NY where Y signifies hydrogen or C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, chlorine or -SO M,

ymu

more substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine,

C alkyl, C alkoxy and -SO M, and

Y signifies hydrogen; chlorine; C a1kyl; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine and -SO M; -COOM;

Or 'COOR5, and

in which Y signifies hydrogen or C alkyl,

and M signifies hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation.

Any alkyl or alkoxy radicals in the compounds of formula I are preferably of l to 4 carbon atoms, any hydroxy or -SO M substituted alkyl radical being preferably of 2 to 4 carbon atoms. I

The following alkyl, alkoxy and hydroxyalkyl radicals may be named as examples: methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.butyl, tert.butyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, 'methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, tert.butoxy, amyloxy, hexyloxy, B-hydroxyethyl, B-hydroxypropyl, 'y-hydroxypropyl, 2-, 3- or 4-hydroxybutyl-l and 3- or 4-hydroxybutyl-2. The alkoxyalkyl radicals and the hydroxyalkoxyalkyl radicals contain preferably 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The following may be named as examples: methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, propoxyethyl, isopropoxyethyl, butoxyethyl, isobutoxyethyl, 2- or 3-ethoxypropyl, 2- or 3-propoxypropyl, 2- or 3-isopropoxypropyl, 2(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-ethyl, 2(2'- or 3'-hydroxypropoxy)-ethyl, 2- or 3-(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-propyl, 2- or 3-(2'- or 3'-hydroxypropoxy)- propyl, 2-, 3- or 4-(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-butyl, 2-, 3- or 4-(2- or 3'-hydroxypropoxy)-butyl, 2-, 3- or 4-(2'- or 3'-hydroxypropoxy)-butyl or 2-, 3- or 4-(2-, 3'- or 4-hydroxybutoxy)-butyl.

Any phenyl radical which is substituted by one or more substituents selected from alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, cyano and -SO M preferably bears one or two such substituents, but preferably no more than one cyano or -SO M group. Any alkyl or alkoxy substituents are preferably in the meta and/or para position of said phenyl radical. Where any phenyl radical bears phenyl as substituent, such phenyl radical is preferably only mono-substituted, the phenyl substituent preferably being in the para position thereof.

As examples of amines HNR R from which groups -SO NR R and -CONR R are derived, may be given ammonia, methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, hexylamine, cyclohexylamine, benzylamine, .2-phenylethylamine, aniline, toluidine, xylidine, mesidine, o'-,'mor p-ethylaniline, 0-, mor p-anisidine, 2,4-, 3, 4- or 2,3-dimethyloxyaniline, phenethidine, sulphanilic acid, methanilic acid (optionally in salt form), p-chloraniline, p-fluoraniline, lamino-4-cyanobenzene, dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, dibutylamine, N-methyl-N-ethyb, -propyl-, -butyl-, -cyclohexyl-, -benzyl-, -2-phenylethyl-, -phenyl-, -metehylphenyl-, -dimethyl-phenyl, -pchlotophenyland -p-sulphophenylamine,as well as the corresponding N-ethylsubstituted amines; also monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine and N-methylpiperazine.

Where the substituents X and X are the same, they both preferably signify hydrogen, -SO M, -SO NR R -SO R or -SO R Where they are different, preferably one ofX and X signifies hydrogen, the other -COOM, -CONR R -CO R or cyano. Preferably X and X both signify -SO M groups.

Where M signifies a cation, the exact nature of the cation is not critical, provided it is not chromophoric. Any conventional cation used in the optical brightener art may be employed. As Examples of suitable cations may be given the alkali-metal cations e.g. sodium, potassium and lithium cations, the alkaline earth metal cations, e.g. magnesium, calcium and strontium cations, and the' ammonium and substituted or unsubsti tuted alkylammonium cations, e.g. the cations of formula R R R NH where R R and R independently, each signify hydrogen or a C alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two, preferably one, hydroxy group, such as mono-, diand triethanolammonium, mono-, diand triisopropanolammonium and mono-, diand triethylammonium cations.

In the compounds of formula I, R preferably signifies hydrogen, C alkyl, chlorine, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by a chlorine atom, more preferably hydrogen, C alkyl, especially methyl, or chlorine, most preferably methyl or hydrogen.

Where the R s signify radicals of formula (a), Y therein, preferably signifies a C aIkyl radical, an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by a substituent selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, chlorine and -SO M and, where X therein signifies -NY Y preferably signifies hydrogen or C alkyl.

Where the R 's signify radicals of formula (b), Y therein preferably signifies an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by up to two substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, chlorine or -SO M, provided that only one -SO M group is borne thereby. Y preferably signifies an alkyl radical of l to 4 carbon atoms. Y and R are preferably different. Where the R 's signify radicals of formula (b), one of R and Y preferably signifies hydrogen.

Where the R 's signify radicals of formula (c), therein, preferably signifies hydrogen.

As a preferred class of compounds of formula I may be given the compounds of formula I,

. R R N 1 in which the R 's, which are the same, each signify hydrogen, chlorine or CQalkyl, the R '5, which are the same, each signify a radical of formula (a'), (b') or (c'),

, where R signifies a C alkyl radical, an unsubstituted phenyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted'by'a substituent selected from C alkyL C qalkoxy, chlorine and -SO M, and

4 X signifies -O- or -NY where Y signifies hydrogen or C alkyl,

where R signifies hydrogen, chlorine, C alkyl, C

,,alkoxy or -SO M, R" signifies hydrogen, chlorine, C alkyl or C alkoxy, and Y signifies an alkyl radical of l to 4 carbon atoms,

/ (c and M is as defined in connection with formula I, above. In the compounds of formula I, R and Y are preferably different.

In the preferred group of compounds of formula I, R, signifies hydrogen or methyl and R signifies a radical of formula (a") or (b"),

N W (a") o in which R is as defined above,

I B" ,4 N\ i Q MK] I (b) Germ-Q c R NoRx X X R N I c \m l II RxON R in which X X The R s and R '5 are as defined above, and

the Rx 's signify hydrogen or an acyl group, b. reducing an N-oxide of formula III,

R2 .N N\ R N H=CH 2 III N R R l 1 o 1 2 l o -in which X X the R '5 and R 's are as defined above, c. obtaining a compoundof formula Ia R N\ R v22/ CHZCH 22 Ia R 2 N R NORX axon g in which X X the R 's, R '5 and RX '5 are as defined above, or cii) reducing an N-oxide of formula V,

in which X X the R 's and R s are as defined above,

d. obtaining a compound of formula I, wherein the R 's signify chlorine and the R 's bear no -SO M group by reacting with hydrogen chloride, a compound of formula III'in which the R '5 signify hydrogen and the R 's bear no -SO M group,

e. obtaining a compound of formula I, wherein R signifies a radical of formula (a) and X therein, signifies -O-, by cyclising a compound of formula VI,

6 in which X X and the P 's are as defined above,

and the Y 's, which are the same, signify C alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or -SO Ry, where -ORy is the radical of a low-molecular weight alcohol, e.g. of methanol or ethanol, under dehydrating'conditions and, where present, saponifying any -SO Ry group in the resulting product to a -SO M group.

f. obtaining a compound of formula I in which X and- X each signify hydrogen, -CN, -COOR -SO R or -SO Rz, in which the R 's are as defined above, and R2 signifies C alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, C alkoxy or C hydroxyalkoxy; or phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine or cyano; and R signifies a radical of formula (a), X therein signifying -NY by reacting a compound of formula VII,

in which the R '5 and Y s are as defined above, Hal

signifies a halogen atom, and X and X independently, each signifies hydrogen, -CN,--COOR -SO R or -SO Rz, where R and R2 are as defined above, with an amine of formula VIII,

Y5-NH2 VIII in which Y, is as defined above, and, where present, saponifying any SO Ry group in the resulting product to a SO M group,

g. obtaining a compound of formula I in which R signifies a radical of formula (a), X therein signifies -NY and X and X both signify -SO M or X signifies hydrogen and X signifies -COOM, by reacting a com 45 pound of formula IX,

in which the R 's and Y 's are as defined above, and either X and X b'oth signify -SO M or X signifies hydrogen, and X signifies -COOM,

with an amine of formula VIII at a temperature above C, and, where present, saponifying any -SO Ry group in the resulting product to a -SO M group, or

h. obtaining a compound of formula I in which R Y Y or Y signifies a phenyl radical substituted by SO M by sulphonating a compound of formula I in which R Y Y or Y signify a phenyl radical free from -SO M groups.

Process a) is conveniently carried out in conventional manner. Where, in the compound of formula II Rx signifies hydrogen, the reaction involved is essentially a dehydration reaction with simultaneous ring :losure. This is conveniently carried out by heating the :ompound of formula II in an organic solvent in the presence of a tertiary amine base and a dehydrating agent. As examples of dehydrating agents may be given phosphorus trichloride, phosphoric acid halides such as the oxychloride and phosphorus pentachloride, carboxylic acid halides, carboxylic acid anhydrides and phosphoric acid anhydride. The carboxylic anhydrides are preferred, the preferred carboxylic anhydrides being those derived from low molecular fatty acids, such as From acetic, propionic and butyric acids. As examples of suitable solvents for the reaction may be given aro- TlatlC hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ethers, retones, acid amides, sulphoxides and sulphones, the preferred solvents being acid amides, sulphoxides and sulphones, e.g. dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, jimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulphoxide, dibutylsulphoxide, tetramethylene sulphone (sulpholan) and phosphoric acid hexamethyl :riamide. As examples of suitable tertiary amine bases nay be given diethylaminobenzene, dimethylamino- )enzene, quinoline, pyridine and alkylpyridines. The )referred temperature for the reaction is from 20 to 200C, particularly from 50 to 175C, the temperature )referably being raised in stages, first to 80C, then to 100C and finally to the boiling point of the reaction nixture.

In an alternative method, the compound of formula II nay be cyclised simply by heating in a high boiling )Oll'lt solvent such as in a carboxylic acid amide, prefertbly urea. In this method a preferred temperature is rom 100 to 210C, more preferably from 120 to 85C. The compound of formula II may simply be tdded into a urea melt without any preparation such as lrying, since any water is driven off. It is of advantage employ two to twenty, preferably three to fifteen, imes the amount of urea in relation to the dry weight f the compound of formula II. It is also of advantage to :mploy a combination of urea with a lower fatty acid, uch as acetic acid.

Process b) can be carried out in conventional manner or the reduction of triazole oxides to triazoles. The vrocess can thus be carried out using base metals, e.g. ron filings or zinc dust, in acids, e.g. acetic acid, acetic vCid/water mixtures and mixtures of acetic acid in inert rganic solvents, e.g. chlorobenzene. Alternatively, the eduction can be carried out using zinc dust in sodium iydroxide solution or by usingg hydrogen in the presnce of a reduction catalyst such as Pd, Pt or Raney Jickel, which catalyst is suitably on a support carrier of ctivated carbon. Such reduction may, for example, be arried out in aqueous alcohol or aqueous dimethylormamide. A Suitable temperature is from room temerature to about 150C, preferably from 50 to 130C. ,ower temperatures can be employed if small amounts f an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid are dded to the reaction mixture. Reduction can also be ffected using salts of reducing acids of sulphur or hosphorus.

Process ci) may be carried out in identical manner to rocess a), as described above.

Process cii) may be carried out in identical manner to rocess b), as described above.

Process d), which involves chlorination and simultaneous reduction may be carried out using hydrogen chloride, the hydrogen chloride conveniently being passed, in gaseous form, into a reaction medium of a dispersion of the compound of formula III in an aqueous medium of a watersoluble organic, preferably alcoholic or ether, solvent, such as ethanol, propanol, butanol, methylglycol, ethylglycol, ethyleneglycol, diethyleneglycol or dioxan, at an elevated temperature, preferably at reflux.

A similar halogenation reaction to that involved in process d), but not involving simultaneous reduction, may be carried out on a compound of formula III, in which the R 's signify hydrogen, by chlorination using a polar chlorinating agent such as sulphurylchloride, thionylchloride or phosphorylchloride to yield a compound of formula III in which the R 's signify chlorine, which compound of formula III can then be reduced following the procedure of process b), described above.

Process e) may be carried out in conventional manner for the type of reaction involved. For example, the compounds of formula VI may be cyclised by heating in the presence of a dehydrating agent, preferably in the presence of an inert solvent. Similarly, saponification of any -SO Ry groups to -SO M groups can be carried out in conventional manner.

Process f) may be carried out in conventional manner for the type of reaction involved. Thus, the compound of formula VII may be reacted with the amine of formula VIII in an inert solvent, preferably in the presence of a tertiary amine or inorganic base. Saponification of any -SO Ry groups to -SO M groups can also be carried out in conventional manner.

Process g) is preferably carried out at a temperature of from to 200C. The reaction is preferably carried out in an inert medium which acts as solvent for the amine of formula VIII, e.g. an ether, such as dioxan or a halogenated hydrocarbon. The reaction is' conveniently carried out in an autoclave, particularly where volatile amines of formula VIII or low boiling point solvents are used. By employing an excess of the amine and a compound IX where M is hydrogen, the corresponding ammonium salt is formed. If required, this salt form can be converted back into free acid form or converted into different salt form, e.g. alkali metal salt form in conventional manner, e.g. by treatment with an alkali-metal hydroxide.

Process h) may be carried out in conventional manner for the sulphonation of phenyl radicals.

The resulting compounds of formula I may be isolated and purified in conventional manner. I

The compounds of formula II, wherein Rx signifies an acyl radical may be obtained by simple acylation of compounds of formula II in which Rx is hydrogen, preferably in the presence of a tertiary amine base. The preferred acylating agent is acetic acid. Thus, where Rx signifies an acyl group, it preferably signifies an acetyl group.

The compounds of formula 11, wherein Rx is hydrogen may be obtained in conventional manner. For example, the compounds of formula II where R is R as defined above, may be obtained by reacting a compound of formula X XI C NOH in which R and R,, are as defined above.

This reaction is suitably carried out in an inert, preferably polar, solvent, e.g. in aliphatic or aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, glycols, amides, such as formamide, dimethylformamide or -acetamide, phosphoric acid hexamethyltriamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, sulphoxides or sulphones, such as dimethylsulphoxide, tetramethylenesulphone or acetonitrile in a lower alkyl carboxylic acid, such as acetic or propionic acid. Suitable temperatures are in the range of to 100C, preferably 20 to 60C. The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of an acid, preferably a lower carboxylic acid, such as formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, oxalic, tartaric, lactic or citric acid.

The compounds of formula III may be obtained by oxidative cyclisation of compounds of formula I, in which Rx is hydrogen. This may be carried out in conventional manner for the type of reaction involved. For example, using a bichromate or hydrogen peroxide in acid, e.g. acetic acid, solution, or ferric potassium cyanide in basic solvent, such as in pyridine or pyridine/- water mixtures. A preferred method involves the use of a copper (II) salt such as copper (II) sulphate, chloride or acetate in a pyridine/water mixture. The monovalent copper salt produced in the reaction can be regenerated into copper (II) salt form by passage of air or oxygen through the reaction mixture.

The compounds of formula V, used in process cii) may be obtained in analogous manner as described above for compounds III, by oxidative cyclisation of compounds of formula IV, where Rx, therein, signifies hydrogen.

The compounds of formula VI used in process e) may be obtained in conventional manner, e.g. those in which X, and X are, respectively, X,, and X, may be obtained by reacting a compound of formula XII,

in which 11, X,,, and the R, 's and Hals are as defined above,

with a hydrazide of formula XIII,

Y,,-CO-NI-I-NH2 XIII in which Y,, is as defined above, or by reacting a dihydrizide of a dicarboxylic acid of formula XIV,

in which the R, 's and X,, and X,, are as defined above, with a compound of formula XV,

in which Y,, and Hal are as defined above.

The abovev reactionsmay be carried out in conventional manner. For example, the reactions may be carried out in the presence of a tertiary amine base. Pre ferred temperatures are from 50 to 150C. The reaction is preferably carried out in an inert solvent of low polarity and high boiling point. As examples of suitable tertiary amine bases may be given quinoline, pyridine, alkylpyridines, e.g. 2, 3, and 4-methylpyridine, ethylpyridine, and mixtures of such pyridines. As examples of suitable solvents may be given o-dichlorobenzene and trichlorobenzenes. The reactions can be carried out directly to the oxadiazole ring compounds by working at temperatures of from 120 to 220C, preferably at reflux, in the presence of a pyridine base and slight excess of a dehydrating agent such as thionylchloride. The reaction can also be carried out in the melt (Indian Journal of Chemistry 6, 1968, page 172).

The compounds of formula VII, used in process f),

may be obtained by halogenation of the the corresponding compounds of formula VI, in which X, and X are X,, and X, respectively, in conventional manner. For example, the halogenation can be carried out using a polar halogenating agent, preferably phosphorous pentabromide or phosphorus pentachloride.

The compounds of. formulae IV, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV and XV may be obtained in conventional manner from available starting materials.

The compounds of formula I are useful as fluorescent brightening agents.

Water soluble compounds of formula I, i.e. those containing at least two sulphonic acid groups may be employed for brightening substrates with substantivity to anions, e.g. polymethanes, basically modified polyolefines, cellulose, wool, synthetic polyamides, e.g. by exhaust or padding methods, and for the optical brightening of paper in the stock, or after sheet formation, e.g. during coating or sizing, or for the optical brightening of cellulosic textiles, e.g. by incorporation in synthetic resin finishings therefor.

The remaining sparingly water soluble or nonwater soluble compounds of formula I are suitable, for example, for the optical brightening of hydrophobic substrates, (e.g. polyester, polyolefines or polyacrylic material) or synthetic polyamides, e.g. by incorporation into the mass. They can be added to a pre-polymer before formation of the final polymer, and to spinning melts or solutions of the final polymer. Such compounds of formula I are also suitable for optically brightening hydrophobic fibres from aqueous dispersions.

Generally, the fluorescent brightening agents of formula I are employed at concentrations of approximately 0.005 to 1.5 percent relative to the weight of the substrate.

For application from long baths preferably 0.05 to 0.8 percent of the optical brightener relative to the substrate is used; the liquor to goods ratio is preferably 10:1 to 50:1 and the treatment temperature preferably 30 to C. The liquor may contain further assistants, e.g. exhaust assistants, or bleaching agents, e.g. sodium chlorite.

In padding processes, particularly continuous pad- 5 ding processes, the concentration of the brightener is preferably 0.02 to 1.2 percent, preferably 0.05 to 0.8 percent, in relation to the substrate. The brightener can be applied by the cold or warm pad-batch processes, with or without intermediate drying before fixation. In the finishing of textiles (e.g. wovens, knitted or nonwovens) with binders, in particular synthetic resins, the

optical brightener may be added in the desired amount to the synthetic resin in the treating liquor or prior to application of the resin. Advantageously 0.02 to 1.2 percent, preferably 0.05 to 0.8 percent optical brightener relative to the substrate is added in this case. Depending on the nature of the brightener and the substrate, the brightener is fixed and the finishing agent cross-linked by the cold store or cold cross-linking process, or by heat treatment (steaming, dry heat or thermosol treatment), optionally after intermediate drying.

For brightening paper in the mass, advantageously 0.01 to 0.5 percent optical brightener based on the weight of the dry stock is employed.

For the treatment of paper in the size press, size press solutions containing e.g. 0.3 to 8 or preferably 0.5 to 6 grams per litre of the optical brightener may be employed; the amount of the brightener can of course be chosen to suit the nature and amount of the binder, the paper and the desired whiteness value. The concentration of binder is normally about 2 to 15 percent of the liquor. Optical brightening liquors for surface application to paper may contain further additives, e.g. white pigments and fillers; these are normally employed in amounts of about to 65 percent on the weight of the coating composition, whereas the binder additions are about 5 to 25 percent. The optical brightener is employed preferably in amounts of about 0.3 to 6 grams per litre of the coating composition.

Examples of suitable binding agents are degraded starches, alginates, gelatines, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, caseine, protein, polyvinylydene, chloride and mixtures thereof, of which the degraded starch, the polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose are particularly preferred. Also suitable are aqueous synthetic resin dispersions based on mixed polymers of acryland/or butadienestyrene copolymers with approximately 50 percent synthetic resin content.

The fillers and white pigments commonly used in the paper industry are suitable, e.g. china clay, calcium carbonate satin white, Blancfiy, titanium dioxide, talc, precipitated aluminium silicates etc. and mixtures thereof.

In addition, coating compositions can contain water- 50 soluble polyphosphates, metaphosphates and wetting agents, e.g. unsulphated or sulphated higher alkanols or alkyl phenol polyglycol ethers with 8 to 14 alkyl carbon atoms and l to 20 ethylene oxide groups. To obtain good flow properties the coating compositions for pigment application are preferably alkaline, best imparted by an addition of ammonium hydroxide, sodium or potassium hydroxides, carbonates, borates, perborates or mixtures thereof.

The anionic brightening agents of formula I can be fixed on polyamide substrates by the acid shock method. The water soluble brighteners of formula I are also suitable as additives to wash baths, especially to those containing bleaching agents.

The more highly water-soluble compounds of formula l are employed preferably in liquid form, i.e., in aqueous solutions which may contain suitable extenders. To obtain special effects, the compounds of formula I may be applied in combination with other brighteners; the hydrophilic extenders such as polyvinyl alcohol, optionally acylated polyethylene glycols, polyvinylpyrrolidone or urea, which in many cases adds appreciably to the white effect.

The invention is illustrated by the following Examples, in which the parts and percentages unless, otherwise stated, are by weight and the temperatures in degrees centigrade.

EXAMPLE 1 20 Parts of 4,4'-bis[4"-methyl-5"-carbethoxyvictriazolyl-(2")]-stilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid are entered in portions with stirring into a mixture of 25 parts of ethanol and 85 parts of hydrazine hydrate at on which the ester goes rapidly into solution. Stirring is continued for 2 hours at 7080 and after cooling to room temperature the pale colour precipitate is filtered off, washed with a 1:1 mixture of alcohol and water, and vacuum dried at 16 Parts of the pale-yellow hydrazide of formula NaO S are obtained.

16 Parts of the hydrazide are finely dispersed in 180 parts of ortho-dichlorobenzene and 8 parts of pyridine. The dispersion is raised to 120 with stirring. In 30 minutes 75 parts of benzoylchloride are dropped in and the mixture stirred further for 4 hours at l40l60. After cooling to 22.8 parts of thionylchloride are dropped into the reaction mixture, then stirring is continued for 1 hour at 90-l20. The yellow product is filtered off, washed with 50 parts of methanol, entered into 45 parts of 2 normal soda solution and stirred for 30 minutes at 40. 15 Parts of sodium chloride are added and the product is then filtered off, washed with 5 25 parts of 5 percent NaCl solution and crystallized NaO S N H CH @XK/ CH3 from a mixture of dimethylformamide and water. In aqueous-alcoholic solution the pale yellow compound fluoresces violet-blue (the absorption maximum in dimethylsulphoxide is at 362 nm). The compound has the formula 13 If in Example 1 instead of 7.5 parts of benzoylchloride th'e equivalent number of parts of' another acid chloride RCOCl is used, furthercompounds conforming to this invention are obtained which have the general formula washed with 100 parts ofa 10 percent (weight/volume) sodium chloride solution and dried at 70 in a vacuum oven. 60 Parts of the dry product are obtained.

16 Parts of the crude hydrazone are added to a mixture of 10 parts by volume of acetic anhydride, 60 parts CH N a 3 S 1 H CH N .N R 4 R 0 so Na. 0

TABLE 1 Fluorescence Absorption shade in maximum Example R Appearance dimethylin di- No. of the formamidedimethyl product watersulphmixture oxide 2 3 H3 light yellow violet-blue 358 nm C H 3 3 light yellow violet-blue 362 nm 4 c 3 deep yellow blue-green 370 nm powder ct 5 yellow powder violet C l 6 pale yellow violet 7 Cl pale yellow violet-blue powder 8 pale yellow violet-blue 0 powder 8a pale yellow blue 3 powder 8b CH pale yellow violet-blue 3 powder 0 EXAMPLE 9 by volume of dimethylformamide and 2 parts of anhy 4 Parts of 4,4-bis-hydrazino stilbene-2,2'disulphonic acid, 3.6 parts of 3'(a-oximinoacetyl)-pyridine, 3.43 parts of anhydrous sodium-acetate and 138 parts of drous sodium acetate. The mixture is heated at 125-l 35 for 20 hours, after which the dimethylformamide is removed under reduced pressure. The brown water are mixed and the mixture raised to the refluxing 65 residue is diluted with 100 Parts of Water and 28 Parts temperature in minutes. An orange-red suspension is formed which is cooled to l3.8'Parts of sodium chloride are added and the mixture stirred for 15 minutes at 20. The hydrazone formed is filtered off,

by volume of a percent (weight/volume) sodium hydroxide solution are added. The bister-brown product is filtered off, washed with 10 percent (weight- /volume) sodium chloride solution and dried at 15 1'6 The yield is 4.5 parts. The crude product is recrystalb volume of a 40 percent weight/volume) sodlum lized several times from aqueous ethyl alcohol. The metabisulphite solution and 50 parts by volume of pure product is obtained as a pale yellow powder and methyl alcohol is raised to the refluxing temperature, has the formula on which 1.5 parts by volume of acetic acid are added 9} /N\ -@'cu :cu xvII SO3Na SO Na The 3-(a-oximinoacetyl)-pyridine is produced by the method described by H. O. Borrus and G. Powell in the Journal of the Americal Chemical Society, Volume 67, the mhtture held for 1 hour reflux and the pages 1468-1472, by treating the 3-acetylpyridine with 5 f e p of the methyl alcohol then remevedhy amylnitrile for introduction 0f the nitmso group distillation under reduced pressure. The red suspension EXAMPLE 10 of the hydrazone 1S cooled to 5 filtered and the filter residue washed with 100 parts by volume ofa 5 percent A mixture of 1935 Parts of 4,4"his'hydrazihesth' (weight/volume) sodium chloride solution and dried at behe'zll'dtsutphohie acid 195 PartS of loximihot' 70. The yield is 10.3 parts dry weight. The hydrazone (3-pyridyl)-2-propanone, 17.1 parts oftanllydroltlls so- (10.3 parts) is added to 60 parts by volume of pyridine h acetate and 682 PartS ot'weter e at t e and the mixture raised to 90 on wh1ch a red-brown fluxlhg temperature for mlhutes- The Orange solution is formed. To this a solution of 10.3 parts of loured mixture formed is cooled to 20 and 49.6 parts copper Sulphate pentahydrate i 20 parts f water i of sodium chloride are added. The suspension is stirred added at in 5 minutes. h mixture i h ld for fOr 30 minutes at and the Orange coloured hydra 2 hours minutes at the refluxing temperature, then zone formed then filtered off, washed with 300 parts by 30 parts of water are added and 40 parts by volume f Volume of a 15 Percent (weight/volume) e h ch10 aqueous pyridine distilled from the reaction mixture. ride solution and vacuum dried at 70. The yield is 47 4 Afterwards 0 parts of water and parts f Concen- Parts y weight- The crude hydrazone Parts) trated hydrochloric acid (specific gravity 1.18) are added to emhthlre of 450 Parts y Volume of dimethyl' 30 added and the brown suspension cooled to 20. The formamide, 80 parts by volume of acetic anhydride and product f d i 1 N i compound) i fi]- 15.6 parts of anhydrous sodium acetate. The mixture is tered and washed i h 100 parts f water Th i t held at 1 10 for 2 hours 30 minutes and stirred further i 1 N id compound (9 4 parts) i di l d t for 8 hours at this temperature. The resulting mixture is fl i temperature i a mixture f 40 parts b l. cooled to 700 and the dimethylformamide removed 35 ume of dimethylformamide, 20 parts of water and 6 under reduced pressure. The residue is diluted parts volume of a glacial acetic acid the ubseparts of water, raised to and given an addition of 70 quent ddi i f 6 parts f inc owder in 5 minutes. parts 0f sodium Chloride. The grey Co p n i The mixture is held under reflux for 4 hours. It is then is cooled to 2 a d fi tered- Th Crude pr is cooled to 20 and the crude triazole compound filtered solved at in a mixture of 300 parts of water, 300 40 d w h d ith 20 parts b volume of water. The parts by volume of ethyl alcohol and 10 parts by volcrude triazole compound is then dissolved at the refluxume of a 30 percent (weight/volume) sodium hydrOX- ing temperature in a mixture of 20 parts of water, 80 ide solution. The solution is cooled to 20 and the crysparts by volume of dimethylformamide and 2 parts of tallized yellow product filtered off and washed with sodium hydroxide. The mixture is then filtered free parts of water. The moist residue is dried at 70. The 45 from residual zinc and the filtrate cooled to 20. The yield is 12.2 parts dry weight. The product has the crystallized product is filtered, washed with 20 parts by formula volume of water and dried at 70. It has the formula h \N"@-CH -==-CH \l O N L XVIII .O Na s N6.

XIX

The l-oximino-l,(3'-pyridyl)-2-propanone is obtained The 2-phenyl-4-methyl-5-(a-oximinoacetyl)-v-triazole by the method described in Beach in the Journal of the is produced from 2-pheny1-4-methyl-5-acety1-v-triazo1e Chemical Society 1955, page 3094, by arylation of 65 as follows. 7

a-oximinoacetone with diazotized 3-aminopyridine. 35.4 Parts of 2-phenyl-4-methyl-5-acetyl-v-triazole are stirred at 0 into a mixture of 60 parts by volume of EXAMPLE 11 absolute ethylalcohol and 25.73 parts of isopropylni- A mixture of4.44 parts of sodium 4,4-bishydrazinostrile. In 30 minutes a solution of 4.6 parts of sodium in tilbene-2,2'-di-sulphonate, 5 parts of 2-phenyl-4-meth- 88 parts by volume of absolute ethyl alcohol are added yl-5-(a-oximino-acetyl)-v-triaz0le, 50 parts water, 025 at 0. The suspension is stirred for 22 hours at 0-5.

point l55l60. The crude product is recrystallized from 50 parts of water and 80 parts by volume of methyl alcohol, on which the 2-phenyl-4-methyLS-(aoximinoacetyl)-v-triazole is obtained in the form of white needles with melting point 159160. The 2-pheis cooled and filtered. The filtered precipitate is dissolved in a mixture of 100 parts of water and 50 parts by volume of ethyl alcohol at 80. Then l0 parts by volume of a percent sodium hydroxide solution are added and the solution filtered hot. On cooling to 20 the tetrasodium salt settles out. It is filtered and dried at 70. The yield is 4.5 parts dry weight. it corresponds to the formula 1 CA3 1\N I @so ua SO Na The following Table 2 contains further compounds produced in accordance with this invention which are distinguished by their structural formulae and the shade of their fluorescence in dimethylformamide/water mixture.

TABLE 2 Example 4 Fluorescence No Formula Shade O N l3 0 N Q blue so Na' 2 N-N a] 14 N- O H :z. blue \1; N n CH 3 1s El 2 15 a CH blue-violet CH2 (:33 i S0 Na CH3 2 nyl-4-methyl-5-acetyl-v-triazole, melting point -5 6, EXAMPLE 16 is produced in analogy with the process for the production of 2-p-tolyl-4-methyl-5-acetyl-v-triazole described 0 in Swiss Pat. No. 444.873.

EXAMPLE 12 6.6 Parts of the compound of formula XlX are added to 15.9 parts by volume of sulphuric monohydrate. The mixture is raised to 110 with stirring, stirred at this temperature for 1 hour and then run into 240 parts of water. 12 Parts of sodium chloride are added to the hot solution. A yellowish green suspension is formed which The product of Example I, obtained benzoylation of the compound of formula XIV, is reacted in an autoclave at l00200 over the course of 5 hours with the stoichiometric amount of methylamine in chlorobenzene. The product is then filtered off, heated with 2 N-sodium hydroxide solution, precipitated with sodium chloride and filtered. Thus, the compound of formula is obtained in the form of a yellow powder which fluoresces blue in dimethylformamide.

EXAMPLE l7 14 Parts of the hydrazone described in Example 11 are dissolved in 136 parts by volume of pyridine and heated to 70. A solution of 23.6 parts of copper sul-- phate pentahydrate in 46 parts by volume of water is added over the course of 15 minutes. The mixture is subsequently kept at reflux temperature for, 3 hours. After the addition of parts by volume of .a 30 percent sodium hydroxide solution and 150 parts of water, 250 parts by volume of aqueous pyridine are distilled off and replaced by the simultaneous addition of 150 parts of water. After cooling to 40, the pale yellow, crude N-oxide is filtered off and washed with 500 parts of water. The crude N-oxideis dissolved in lOOOparts by volume of dimethyl formamide and 500 parts of water, filtered in order to remove the copper-I-oxide, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. 9 Parts of the N-oxide are obtained as yellow powder.

The 9 parts of N-oxide are dissolved in 1000 parts by volume of dioxane and 200 parts of water and the mixture is heated to reflux temperature. Gaseous hydrochloric acid is regularly passed through the reaction mixture at this temperature over the course of 6 hours. The mixture is then cooled to 10, the yellow precipitate is filtered, washed with 100 parts of water and dried at 70 in a drier. The obtained 6.1 parts '(dry weight) of free acid are recrystallized from 70 parts of water and 130 parts by volume of dimethyl formamide (containing 5 parts by volume of 30 percent sodium hydroxide). Thus, 40 parts (dry weight) of a light yellow solid product are obtained which agrees with formula EXAMPLE 18 13.72 Parts of 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-5-(aoximino-acetyl)-v-triazole in 250 parts by volume of methanol and then 5 parts by volume of acetic acid and XXI 5 parts by volume of a percent (weight/volume) sodium metabisulphite solution are added to a solution The resulting 33 parts of moist hydrazone are added to 150 parts by volume of pyridine and the mixture is heated to A solution of 25.75 parts of copper sulphate pentahydrate in 50 parts of water are added dropwise over the course of 30 minutes and the mixture is subsequently heated to reflux temperature. The mixture is kept at this temperature for 3 hours, 10 parts of 30 percent sodium hydroxide solution are subsequently added and 300 parts by volume of aqueous pyridine are distilled off from the reaction mixture. By the addition of '300 parts of water the aqueous pyridine is continuously replaced. The copper-l-oxide which contains the N-oxide is dried at The resulting 14 parts of crude N-oxide are dissolved at in 200 parts by volume of dimethyl formamide and parts of water and the mixture is filtered in order to remove the copper-I- oxide. To the clear filtrate are added 20 parts by volume of acetic acid and subsequently 25 parts of zinc in I powder form. The mixture is kept at reflux temperature for 18 hours and filtered in order to remove the excess zinc. After the addition of 400 parts of water and cooling to 20, the precipitated triazole is filtered and washed with 100 parts of water. The crude triazole is (XXII) XXIII The 2-(2'-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-5-(aoximinoacetyl)-v-triazole can be produced from 2-(2'- chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-5-acetyl-v-triazole in analogous manner to 2-phenyl4-methyl-5-(a- 5 oximinoacetyl)-v-triazole described in Example 1 1. It is recrystallized from methanol and thus, a product, having a MP. of 155159, is obtained.

are indicated in the following Table 3. They may be produced in manner analogous to that described in Examples ll, 17 and 18 (the compound of Example 28 is obtained in analogy with Example l2). They are characterized by the significance of the radicals Ar, R, and Y";, and the colour of the resulting product which is obtained in the form of powder;

Exp. Ar R" Y",, Colour of the No. powdery product 19 cl H CH light yellow 20 Cl Cl cli yellow 21 H CH light yellow 22 cl cii. yellow 23 c H CH light yellow 24 c H Cl CH, yellow 25 C H CH brilliant yellow Cl 26 C l H CH yellow 27 H CH light yellow c H 28 H CH, yellow 29 CH CH CH yellow The 2-(2'-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-5-acetyl-vtriazole may be produced by the method described in Swiss Pat. No. 444.873 for the production of 2-(p- APPLICATION EXAMPLE A 5 Parts of a white Banlon" nylon 6.6 fabric are tolyl)-4-methyl-5-acetyl-v-triazole. Further compounds of formula entered into a solution at containing 0.01 part of the compound of formula XXIII and 1.5 parts by vol- XXIV dilute sodium carbonate 'solution, then rinsed thoroughly with water and dried at 80. The treated fabric shows a brilliant 'brightener effect of neutral shade.

" "APPLICATION EXAMPLE B 5 Parts of a w'hite B'anlon nylon 6.6 fabric are entered into a bath at 40 containing 0.01 part of the triazolcom'pound of formula XIX and 0.4 parts of sodium chloride in 200 parts of water which is buffered to pH 3.5. The buffer system consists of 0.14 parts of sodium perborate, 0.12 parts of sodium nitrate, 0.12 parts of trisodium polyphosphate, 0.02 parts of a condensation product from di-secondary butylphenol and ethylene oxide and 2.5 parts by volume of formic acid. The bath is raised to 90-95 in 30 minutes and the fabric treated for a further 30 minutes at this temperature. It is then removed, rinsed in cold demineralized water, then in 1% aqueous sodium metabisulphate solution and finally in cold demineralized water, after which it"is'dried at 80. The treated nylon 66 fabric shows a brilliant optical white of neutral shades.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE C A cotton fabric is put into 200 parts by volume-(bath proportion 1:40) of an aqueous solution of 0.01 parts of the brightener, obtained according to Example 12, (formula XX) and 0.5 parts of sodium sulphate decahydrate and the bath is heated to 70 over the course of minutes and while moving the fabric continuously. The bath is kept at this temperature for a further 30 minutes and while moving the fabric continuously. The fabric is then removed from the bath, rinsed with cold water, centrifuged and dried at 80 in a drier. A brilliant optically brightened fabric is obtained.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE D A fabric strip of Nylon 6.6 is padded to an increase of 100 percent on the dry weight with an aqueous bath containing 0.2 percent of the triazole obtained in accordance with Example 12 (formula XX). The fabric is then boiled for 1 minute in an aqueous solution containing 0.2 percent of acetic acid (bath proportion 1:30), subsequently washed for 1 minute in boiling water, rinsed in cold demineralized water and finally dried at 80 in a drier. A brilliant optically brightened fabric is obtained.

What is claimed is:

1. A compound of formula I,

wherein the R s are the same and each is hydrogen; chloro; C alkyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted by up to two substituents selected from the group consisting of C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluoro, or chloro; or biphenyl, the R s are the same and each is a radical of formula wherein Y is C alkyl; phenyl; or phenyl substituted by up to two substituents selected from the group consisting of C alkyl, C alkoxy, fluoro, chloro or 10 -SO M, and

X is -O- or -NY where Y is hydrogen; C alkyl; C alkyl monosubstituted by chloro; or C alkyl monosubstituted by hydroxy or -SO M,

oxy, fluoro, chloro or -SO M, and

wherein Y is hydrogen or C alkyl, and M is hydrogen or a non-chromophoric cation, with the pro- 1 viso that any substituted phenyl is substituted by no more than one -SO M substituent.

2. A compound of claim 1, wherein R is a radical of formula (a), Y therein, is C alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by a substituent selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, chloro and -SO M and,

where X therein, is -NY Y is hydrogen or C alkyl,

and wherein R is hydrogen, C alkyl, chloro, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by chloro.

3. A compound of claim 2, wherein R is hydrogen, C alkyl or chloro.

5O 4. A compound of claim 3, wherein R is hydrogen or methyl. 5. A compound of claim 1, wherein R is a radical of formula (b), Y therein, is unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by up to two substituents selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, chloro and -SO M, provided only one -SO M group is borne thereby, and Y therein, is C alkyl, and wherein R is hydrogen, C

alkyl, chloro, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by chloro, Y and R, being different.

6. A compound of claim 5, wherein R is hydrogen, C, alkyl or chloro.

7. A compound'of claim6, whereinR is-hydrogen or methyl. v i- 8. A compound of claim 1, wherein R is a radical of formula (c), Y therein, is hydrogen, and wherein R is hydrogen, C alkyl, chloro, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by chloro.

9. A compound of claim 8, wherein R is hydrogen, C alkyl or chloro.

10. A compound of claim 9, wherein R, is hydrogen or methyl.

. A compound of claim 2, wherein X is -O-.

A compound of claim 2, wherein X is -N-Y A compound of claim 3, wherein X is -O-.

. A compound of claim 3, wherein X is -NY A compound of claim 4, wherein X is -O-.

. A compound of claim 4, wherein X; is -NY A compound of claim 1, of formula I 25. A compound of claim 17, wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R is a radical of formula (a") or in which R and R" are as defined in claim 21, with the proviso that where R is a radical of formula (b"), R, is hydrogen.

R I l N N l I N CH=CH N I I' I P I N N R I \2 2 wherein the R "s are the same and each is hydrogen, chloro or C alkyl,

the R "s are the same and each is a radical of formula where R is C alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by a substituent selected from C alkyl, C alkoxy, chloro and -SO M, and

X is -O- or -NY,- where Y is hydrogen or C where R is hydrogen, chloro,C alkyl, C alkoxy or -SO3M, R is hydrogen, chloro, C alkyl or C alkoxy,

and Y is C alkyl, and

(c and M is as defined in claim 1. 18. A compound of claim 17, wherein R is a radical of formula (a).

19. A compound of claim 18, wherein X is -O-. 20. A compound of claim 18, wherein X is -NY 21. A compound of claim 17, wherein R is a radical of formula (b').

22. A compound of claim 17, wherein R is a radical of formula (0').

23. A compound of claim 17, wherein R, and Y, are different.

24. A compound of claim 21, wherein R, and Y, are different.

26. A compound of claim 25, wherein R is a radical of formula (a").

27. A compound of claim 25, wherein R is a radical of formula (b).

28. A compound of claim 27, wherein R" is hydrogen.

29. A compoundof claim 28, of formula in which M is as defined in claim 28. 30. A compound of claim 28, of formula in which M is as defined in claim 28. 31. A compound of claim 28, of formula in which M is as defined in claim 28.

32. A compound of claim 1, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R R R NH where R R and R independently, each is hydrogenwor a C alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxy groups.

33. A compound of claim 29, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R R R NH where R R and R independently, each is hydrogen or a C alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxy groups.

34. A compound of claim 30, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R R R NI'F, where R R and R independently,-each ishydrogen o'r -a C- alkyl radical,

unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxygroups. T 4

35. A compound of claim 31, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R R R NH where R R and R or a sodium cation. i 37. A compound of claim 34, wherein M is hydrogen or a sodium cation.

38. A compound of claim 35, wherein M is hydrogen or a sodium cation. 1 =l i 

1. A COMPOUND OF FORMULA 1,
 2. A compound of claim 1, wherein R2 is a radical of formula (a), Y1, therein, is C1-4 alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by a substituent selected from C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, chloro and -SO3M and, where X3, therein, is -NY5-, Y5 is hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl, and wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, chloro, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by chloro.
 3. A compound of claim 2, wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or chloro.
 4. A compound of claim 3, wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl.
 5. A compound of claim 1, wherein R2 is a radical of formula (b), Y2, therein, is unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by up to two substituents selected from C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, chloro and -SO3M, provided only one -SO3M group is borne thereby, and Y3, therein, is C1-4 alkyl, and wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, chloro, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by chloro, Y3 and R1 being different.
 6. A compound of claim 5, wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or chloro.
 7. A compound of claim 6, wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl.
 8. A compound of claim 1, wherein R2 is a radical of formula (c), Y4, therein, is hydrogen, and wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, chloro, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by chloro.
 9. A compound of claim 8, wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or chloro.
 10. A compound of claim 9, wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl.
 11. A compound of claim 2, wherein X3 is -O-.
 12. A compound of claim 2, wherein X3 is -N-Y5-.
 13. A compound of claim 3, wherein X3 is -O-.
 14. A compound of claim 3, wherein X3 is -NY5-.
 15. A compound of claim 4, wherein X3 is -O-.
 16. A compound of claim 4, wherein X3 is -NY5-.
 17. A compound of claim 1, of formula I''
 18. A compound of claim 17, wherein R2'' is a radical of formula (a'').
 19. A compound of claim 18, wherein X3'' is -O-.
 20. A compound of claim 18, wherein X3'' is -NY5''-.
 21. A compound of claim 17, wherein R2'' is a radical of formula (b'').
 22. A compound of claim 17, wherein R2'' is a radical of formula (c'').
 23. A compound of claim 17, wherein R1'' and Y3'' are different.
 24. A compound of claim 21, wherein R1'' and Y3'' are different.
 25. A compound of claim 17, wherein R1'' is hydrogen or methyl and R2'' is a radical of formula (a'''') or ()
 26. A compound of claim 25, wherein R2'' is a radical of formula (a'''').
 27. A compound of claim 25, wherein R2'' is a radical of formula (b'''').
 28. A compound of claim 27, wherein R'''' is hydrogen.
 29. A compound of claim 28, of formula
 30. A compound of claim 28, of formula
 31. A compound of claim 28, of formula
 32. A compound of claim 1, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R10R11R12NH , where R10, R11 and R12, independently, each is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxy groups.
 33. A compound of claim 29, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R10R11R12NH , where R10, R11 and R12, independently, each is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxy groups.
 34. A compound of claim 30, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R10R11R12NH , where R10, R11 and R12, independently, each is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxy groups.
 35. A compound of claim 31, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation or a cation of formula R10R11R12NH , where R10, R11 and R12, independently, each is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by up to two hydroxy groups.
 36. A compound of claim 33, wherein M is hydrogen or a sodium cation.
 37. A compound of claim 34, wherein M is hydrogen or a sodium cation.
 38. A compound of claim 35, wherein M is hydrogen or a sodium cation. 